The Solicitor Generalpresented a Petition from one Lewis Levi, a Jew, praying that the House would pass a declaratory law, in order to remove all doubts which might at present exist as to the power of the Jews to hold landed property in fee. He concurred entirely with the petitioner in thinking such a law was necessary. The petitioner had informed him, that neither he nor those Jews with whom he was acquainted, wished for the elective franchise. They merely wanted the rights of property.
Mr. Cutlar Fergussonsaid, that the petitioner, it appeared, wished the rights of property to be secured to him, but was indifferent to all civil privileges. He had the right to say this for himself, but not to utter this opinion on behalf of others. Of his own knowledge he could say, that there was a general expectation and hope among the Jews, that the same justice would be extended to them as to other persons dissenting from the Church of England. He was prepared to support their wishes by his vote, for he thought no disability should attach to any man on account of his religious opinions.
§ Mr. Spring Ricethought, that in the bill for the emancipation of the Jews, a clause might be inserted to continue to the petitioner all the benefits of his present disabilities, with which he seemed so contented. He was cure that this indi- 237 vidual had presumptuously misrepresented the opinions of the great body of the Jews.
§ Mr. Humesaid, that if the petitioner had stated the opinions of other persons in his Petition, he would oppose it being laid on the Table.
The Solicitor Generalassured the hon. Member that he would not have presented the Petition if it had contained any thing of the sort. He had only repeated what the petitioner had verbally said to him.
§ The Petition to lie on the Table.